The Stitzel-Weller distillery traces its roots back to 1849 when William Larue Weller created his first straight bourbon using wheat instead of rye. Julian "Pappy" Van Winkle purchased the company in 1908, then rebranded as Stitzel-Weller in 1935. The distillery produced bourbon under the brands Old Fitzgerald, Rebel Yell, Cabin Still, Old Weller, and Pappy Van Winkle.